Temporary storage sleeve for articles of clothing

ABSTRACT

A temporary storage sleeve for holding an article of clothing comprising a front wait and a generally parallel back wall. The front wall and the back wall are spaced at a distance and interconnected along at least two edges forming a first side wall and a second side wall. The sleeve is open along at least two edges. The sleeve further comprises a releasable closure mechanism for securing the first wall relative to the back wall and at least partially occluding at least one of the at least two openings. One of the side walls includes at least one pleat, the pleat movable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

None.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a sleeve for temporarily holding articles of clothing and the like and more particularly to such a sleeve incorporating at least two interconnected edges forming first and second side walls, at least two open edges and a releasable closure mechanism that at least partially occludes at least one of the at least two openings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Travelers usually spend a significant amount of time and energy packing a suitcase to ensure that the articles of clothing remain wrinkle-free. Nevertheless, the articles of clothing are often wrinkled in transit. For example, security officials in airports often open passengers' suitcases to ensure harmful items are not present. During such examination, the suitcase contents are shuffled, wrinkling the clothing items within. As a result, travelers are often discouraged and inconvenienced because their carefully packed items are wrinkled

Several have attempted to design packages for enveloping articles of clothing. However, these packages do not have at least two interconnected edges and at least two open edges and so it is time consuming to insert items therein. Further, some of the known packages are only configured to hold a particulate type of clothing, for example, a collared shirt.

What is needed then, is a sleeve for temporarily storing an article of clothing wherein the sleeve is inexpensive and not time consuming to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a packaging sleeve for holding articles of clothing within a suitcase and provide one or more benefits and advantages not previously offered in the art, including, but not limited to a clothing sleeve that is inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and expandable.

The present invention provides a sleeve having a front wall and a generally parallel back wall which are spaced apart and interconnected along at least two edges forming a first and second side wall. The sleeve also includes at least two open edges and a releasable closure mechanism for securing the first wall relative to the back wall. The releasable closure mechanism at least partially occludes at least one of the at least two openings and may be integrally connected or affixed to the back wall. One of the side walls includes at least one pleat movable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance.

In use, a consumer opens at least two edges of the sleeve. The front and back walls are at a spaced distance and interconnect along at least two edges forming a first side wall and a second side wall. The article of clothing is disposed within the sleeve, wherein the first side wall will expand to accommodate the article of clothing. A releasable closure mechanism is then fastened to secure the first wall relative to the back wall and to at least partially occlude at least one of the open edges.

A plurality of storage sleeves can be manufactured by forming a longitudinal fold along a continuous sheet of flexible material to form a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and an open edge. Then at least one crease is inserted into the longitudinal fold forming a pleated side wall. Lateral seals are placed along the front wall and back wall, wherein each seal forms a second side wall. The front wall and back wall are perforated to form a plurality of perforation lines parallel to each lateral seal. Finally, a tab is formed below each perforated line, wherein each tab is arranged to at least partially occlude the open edge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage sleeve.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing a tab being folded around a first open edge to partially occlude the first open edge.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing a flap of the tab being folded around a second open edge to partially occlude the second open edge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing the tab in the closed configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage sleeve showing a plurality of connected sleeves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it should be appreciated that the use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage sleeve 10 for an article of clothing 12. Although a collared shirt is shown as the article of clothing 12 in the figure, it should be appreciated that other types of articles can be stored within the sleeve 10, including but not limited to shirts, shorts, trousers, ties, sweaters, dresses, skirts, blouses, socks, undergarments, and towels. The sleeve 10 comprises a front wall 14 a back wall 16, two side walls 18, 20, and two open edges 22, 24, and is preferably of a rectangular configuration, although other configurations are possible. The front and back walls 14, 16 are generally parallel. In one configuration, the back wall 16 can have a greater height and width than the front wall 14 such that the back wall 16 is aligned with the front wall 14 along side walls 18, 20 but extends slightly beyond the front wall 14 along the open edges 22, 24. In another configuration, the front and back walls 14, 16 are approximately equal in height and width. A satisfactory range for the width has been found to be between 9 inches and 18 inches. A satisfactory range for the height has been found to be between 11½ inches and 23 inches. However, it should be understood that other sleeve sizes car be made to accommodate larger or smaller articles and these modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

At least one side wall, for example side wall 18, may include a pleat 26 allowing the sleeve to expand to an extended configuration to accommodate bulkier articles of clothing. The pleat 26 is arranged to extend along the entire length of the side wall 18. Although the pleat 26 can be any size, the pleat 26 preferably expands to a maximum of 6½ inches. The side walls 18, 20 interconnect the front and back walls 14, 16 and separate the front and back walls 14, 16 at a spaced distance. In a preferred embodiment, the pleat 26 along side wall 18 is moveable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance of the front and back walls 14, 16 wherein the spaced distance corresponds to the width of side wall 20. It should be understood that although the sleeve 10 is shown having only one pleat 26 is shown extending along side wall 18, side wall 20 may also be pleated and this modification is intended to be within the scope of the invention as claimed.

The sleeve 10 may be made from polyethylene, vinyl or other types of thermoplastic materials. For example, for a thinner, more flexible sleeve, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) may be used. A high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used if a thicker, sturdier sleeve is desired. Preferably, the sleeve 10 is transparent so that the article(s) of clothing within the sleeve 10 can be quickly identified. In one embodiment, the sleeve 10 can be constructed such that the sleeve 10 can be disposed of after one use. A thinner, inexpensive material may be desired for a disposable sleeve. Alternatively, the sleeve 10 can be constructed such that the sleeve 10 is reusable re-used. A thicker, sturdier material may be desired for a reusable sleeve.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the sleeve 10 further includes a closure tab 28 disposed along an upper portion of the back wall 16 and along the open edge 22. The tab 28 may be integrally connected to the back wall 16 or affixed to the back wall 16. The tab 28 forms a releasable closure mechanism for securing the front wall 14 to the back wall 16. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tab 28 folds around the open edge 22, towards an outer surface 30 of the front wall 14. In one configuration, the tab 28 includes a fold line 32 contiguous to a portion of the perimeter edge of the back wall 16 and an inner fold line 34 arranged to align with a portion of the perimeter edge of the front wall 14. Thus, a seam 36 having a predetermined width is formed between the fold lines 32, 34 and partially occludes the open edge 22. The width of the seam 36 corresponds to the spaced distance of the front wall 14 and the back wall 16 as determined by the side wall 20. Alternatively, the width of the seam 36 corresponds to the spaced distance of the front and back walls 14, 16 as determined by the pleat 26. For example, if the pleat 26 is arranged to expand to a maximum of six inches, the seam 36 is approximately six inches.

In yet another configuration, the fold line 32 is contiguous to a portion of the perimeter edge of both the front wall 14 and the back wall 16. Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, rather than forming the seam 36 having a predetermined width, the front wall 14 and the back wall 16 are coupled together by the fold line 32 of the tab 28. It should be understood that the tab 28 may be disposed along a perimeter edge of the front wall 16 rather than the back wall 14, wherein the tab 28 folds around the open edge 22, towards an outer surface (not shown) of the back wall 16. Further, the tab 28 may alternatively be disposed laterally along the corner of open edge 24.

It should be appreciated that the sleeve 10 can be constructed using closure mechanisms other than the tab 28. For example, a re-sealable zipper, such as a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism, may be disposed along side walls 22 and 24, wherein side walls 18 and 20 are pleated. Alternatively, the sleeve 10 can be constructed to include the following: a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism along the open edge 22 allowing the opening to be re-sealable, the open edge 24, and two pleated side walls 18 and 20. Similarly, the sleeve 10 can be constructed to include open edge 22, a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism along open edge 24, and two pleated side walls 18 and 20. These configurations can alternatively include only one pleat along one side wall, either side wall 18 or 20, and this modification is intended to be within the scope of the invention as claimed.

As shown in the figures, a perforation line 38 extending from the bottom of the tab 28 towards the top of the tab 28 forms a flap 40 which extends around the open edge 24 in a folded configuration. That is, the flap 40 couples the tab 28 to the back wall 16. At least a portion of the flap 40 extends to an outer surface (not shown) of the back wall 16 and removably secures thereto by a securing means 42. For example, the flap 40 may be snap engaged or secured with a hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO®. A double-sided adhesive may alternatively be applied. Also, the flap 40 can alternatively or additionally be secured to the front wall 14. Although the flap 40 is shown with the perforation line 38, it should be understood that the line 38 can be pre-cut rather than perforated during manufacturing. The tab 28 is arranged to partially occlude a portion of at least one of the open edges 22, 24 and preferably a portion of both the open edges 22, 24.

In use, a consumer opens the sleeve 10 by separating the front wall 14 and the back wall 16 along the open edges 22, 24. Then, the customer places the article(s) of clothing 12 into the sleeve 10. The pleat 26 along the side wall 18 will expand to accommodate the width of the article(s) of clothing 12 when the article(s) of clothing 12 is being inserted therein. To fasten the sleeve 10, the customer folds the tab 28 along the fold line 32 towards the outer surface 30 of the front wall 14. In one configuration, the customer then folds the tab 28 along fold line 34 to form the seam 36 along the tab 28. The seam 36 partially occludes the open edge 22. Finally, the perforation line 38 is separated to create the flap 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the flap 40 is folded along two parallely spaced lateral fold lines 52, 54 and extends around the open edge 24. Finally, the flap 40 is folded again along a third lateral fold line 56. The flap 40 forms a flap seam 58 which partially occludes the open edge 24. The lateral fold line 54 is contiguous to a perimeter end 60 of the front wall 14 and fold line 56 is contiguous to a perimeter end 62 of the back wall 16. However, in another configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, the lateral fold line 54 receives both the perimeter ends of the front wall and back wall 60, 62 such that fold line 54 partially occludes the open edge 24. The flap 40 is releasably secured to the back surface (not shown) of the back wall 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of sleeves 10 can be produced using a continuous sheet of flexible material, which is pleated and sealed to form the side walls 18, 20 and perforated in one operation. That is, the lead edge 64 of a continuous sheet of material is longitudinally folded, approximately in half, to form an interior pocket having the front wall 14, back wall 16 and side wall 18. The pleat 26 is formed along the side wall 18 by inserting a small crease into the interior pocket. Alternatively, a plurality of small creases can be inserted into the interior pocket to form a multi-fold pleat. Equally spaced parallel seals 66 form the second side wall 20 of each sleeve 10. In addition, lateral perforation lines 68 parallel to the seals 66 are placed slightly below each seal 66. Each lateral seal 66 can be formed by, for example, a heat seal, an adhesive, or a plurality of snaps. The tab 28 is then affixed to a perimeter edge 70 of the back wall 16 of each sleeve 10. By “affixed” it is meant that the tab 28 is connected to the sleeve 10 by sealing or adhering the tab 28 thereto, for example by a heat seal, an adhesive, snaps, etc.

Alternatively, the flexible material can be longitudinally folded wherein the back wall 16 extends beyond the front wall 14 at a distance equal to the width of the tab 28. Then, a portion of the excess material is cut away such that the remaining material forms the tab 28 that is integrally connected to the back wall 16. A releasable securing means 42 (shown in FIG. 2), such as VELCRO®, a snap, or an adhesive, can be disposed on the back surface of the flap 40 as shown in FIG. 2. It may be necessary to dispose a corresponding securing element to the outer surface of the back wall 16 if a snap, VELCRO® or similar mechanism is used as for the securing means 42. Also, a slit for receiving the flap 40 can be disposed on the back surface of the back wall 16. The sleeves 10 can be sold as a continuous roll, wherein a consumer separates each sleeve 10 along the perforation line 68 before use. Alternatively, the sleeves 10 may be cut rather than perforated along line 68 and sold separately.

Thus, the article of clothing is contained within the sleeve to substantially eliminate wrinkling. Further, having each article of clothing neatly contained in a sleeve within a piece of luggage will allow security officials at airports to survey the luggage more quickly and therefore, travelers will experience shorter delays at security check points.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A temporary storage sleeve for holding an article of clothing comprising: a front wall and a generally parallel back wall, the front wall and the back wall at a spaced distance and interconnected along at least two edges forming a first side wall and a second side wall and open along at least two edges; a first releasable closure mechanism for securing the front wall relative to the back wall and at least partially occluding at least one of the at least two openings, wherein the first side wall includes at least one pleat, the pleat movable to an extended configuration greater than the spaced distance.
 2. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the pleat expands to a maximum of 6½ inches.
 3. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the spaced distance of the front wall and the back wall is equal to the width of the second side wall.
 4. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 further comprising a lateral seal to interconnect the front wall and the back wall along one of the at least two edges that form the first side wall and the second sidewall.
 5. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is formed from thermoplastic material and is heat sealed to couple one of the at least two edges that form the first side wall and the second side wall.
 6. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 further comprising a second releasable closure mechanism for securing the front wall relative to the back wall.
 7. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the releasable closure mechanism comprises a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism affixed to one of the open edges.
 8. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 6 wherein the first and second releasable closure mechanism comprises a tongue-and-groove closure mechanism affixed to one of the open edges.
 9. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the first releasable closure mechanism comprises a tab affixed to at least a portion of one of the open edges and having a flap for coupling the tab to the back wall and at least one vertical fold line corresponding to the at least the portion of one of the open edges.
 10. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 9 wherein the flap further comprises a snap for coupling the tab to the back wall.
 11. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 9 wherein the flap further comprises an adhesive for coupling the tab to the back wall.
 12. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 9 wherein the flap further comprises a hook and loop fastener for coupling the tab to the back wall.
 13. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the first releasable closure mechanisms comprises a tab integrally connected with a portion of the back wall and having a flap for coupling the tab to the back wall and at least one vertical fold line corresponding to the portion of the back wall.
 14. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 13 wherein the flap further comprises a snap for coupling the tab to the back wall.
 15. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 13 wherein the flap further comprises an adhesive for coupling the tab to the back wall.
 16. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 13 wherein the flap further comprises a hook and loop fastener for coupling the tab to the back wall.
 17. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is formed from polyethylene.
 18. The temporary storage sleeve of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is formed from polypropylene.
 19. A method of temporarily storing an article of clothing comprising: opening at least two edges of a sleeve having a front wall and a generally parallel back wall the front wall and the back wall at a spaced distance and interconnected along at least two edges forming a first side wall and a second side wall; disposing the article of clothing within the sleeve; expanding the first side wall to accommodate the article of clothing; and fastening a releasable closure mechanism to secure the first wall relative to the back wall and at least partially occluding at least one of the at least two open edges.
 20. The method of claim 19 further comprising expanding the second side wall to accommodate the article of clothing.
 21. A method of making a plurality of storage sleeves for temporarily storing an article of clothing comprising: longitudinally folding a continuous sheet of flexible material to form a front wall, a back wall, a first side wall and an open edge; inserting at least one crease into the longitudinal fold to form a pleat along the first side wall; placing a plurality of lateral seals along the front wall and back wall, each seal forming a second side wall; perforating the front wall and back wall to form a plurality of perforated lines parallel to each lateral seal; and forming a tab below each perforated line, wherein each tab is arranged to at least partially occlude the open edge.
 22. The method of making a plurality of storage sleeves of claim 21 wherein the step of forming a tab below each perforated line includes affixing separate tabs to the back wall.
 23. The method of making a plurality of storage sleeves of claim 21 wherein the step of forming a tab below each perforated line includes forming integrally connected tabs along the back wall.
 24. The method of making a plurality of storage sleeves of claim 21 wherein the step of placing a plurality of lateral seals along the front wall and back wall includes forming lateral heat seals.
 25. The method of making a plurality of storage sleeves of claim 21 further comprising: forming a flap along each tab, each flap being arranged to at least partially occlude an opening formed by separating one of the perforated lines. 